throw in the sponge Definition

sponge
noun

1. Any of several hundred different species of aquatic, usually marine, invertebrate primitive multicellular animals that consist of a large cluster of cells attached to a solid object such as a rock and which usually live in colonies.
2a. A piece of the soft porous skeleton of this animal which is capable of holding comparatively large amounts of water and which remains soft when wet, making it particularly suitable for washing, bathing, cleaning, etc;
2b. A piece of similarly absorbent synthetic material that is used in the same way.
3. Sponge cake or pudding.
4. A wipe with a cloth or sponge in order to clean something.

Example: gave the baby's face a quick sponge
5. colloq
Someone who regularly drinks a lot.

verb sponged, sponging

1. To wash or clean with a cloth or sponge and water.

Thesaurus: clean, wash, mop, wipe, wet.
2. To mop up.
3. colloq
To borrow money, etc from them, often without any intention of paying it back.
Thesaurus: leach, cadge, scrounge (slang), mooch (slang), bum (US slang), freeload (slang).
Form: sponge off someone (usually)
4. To survive by habitually imposing on someone else or others, expecting them to pay for things, etc.

Example: never works ‐ just sponges on his mates
Form: sponge on someone (usually)
5. To go fishing or diving for sponges.

Derivative: spongeable
adj

Idiom: throw in the sponge (throw up the sponge, throw in the towel)

See under towel.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon, from Greek spongia.

Phrasal Verb: sponge down

To clean something with a damp cloth or sponge.

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throw
verb threw, thrown, throwing

tr & intr
1. To propel or hurl through the air with force, especially with a rapid forward movement of the hand and arm.

Thesaurus: hurl, fling, pitch, toss, heave, lob, put, launch; propel, thrust, project, discharge, start, drive, impel.
2. To move or hurl into a specified position, especially suddenly or violently.
3. To put into a specified condition, especially suddenly.

Example: threw them into confusion
4. To direct, cast or emit.

Example: a candle throwing shadows on the wall
Example: throw a glance
5. colloq
To puzzle or confuse.
Thesaurus: confuse, unsettle, upset, disconcert, frustrate.
6. Said of a horse: to make (its rider) fall off.
7. wrestling.judo.
To bring (one's opponent) to the ground.
8. To move (a switch or lever) so as to operate a mechanism.
9. To make (pottery) on a potter's wheel.
10. colloq
To lose (a contest) deliberately, especially in return for a bribe.
tr & intr
11a. To roll (dice) on to a flat surface;
11b. To obtain (a specified number) by throwing dice.
12. To have or suffer.

Example: throw a tantrum
13. To give (a party).
14. To deliver (a punch).
15. To cause (one's voice) to appear to come from elsewhere.

noun

1. An act of throwing or instance of being thrown.
2. The distance something is thrown.
3. colloq
An article, item or turn, etc.
Example: sell them at £2 a throw
4. geol.
The amount by which a fault in a stratum is displaced vertically.
5. A piece of fabric that is used to cover a piece of furniture, eg a settee, bed, etc, by placing it loosely over the furniture.

Idiom: throw in one's hand

colloq
To give up or abandon what one is doing.

Idiom: throw in the towel (throw in the sponge)

See under towel.

Idiom: throw oneself into something

To begin doing it with great energy or enthusiasm.

Idiom: throw oneself on something

To rely or depend on (someone's goodwill, sympathies or mercy, etc).

Idiom: throw something open

To open it suddenly and widely.

To allow anyone to enter or take part in (a debate, etc).

Idiom: throw up one's hands

To raise them in the air quickly, usually as a sign of despair or horror, etc.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon thrawan to twist.

Phrasal Verb: throw something about or around

To throw it in various directions; to scatter it.

Phrasal Verb: throw something away

To discard it or get rid of it.To fail to take advantage of it; to waste or lose it through lack of care. See also throwaway.
Example: He threw away his chance to become champion

Phrasal Verb: throw someone or something back

To delay or hinder their or its progress to a specified extent.
Example: The problem threw us back six months

Phrasal Verb: throw someone back on something

To force them to rely on it.

Phrasal Verb: throw back to something

To revert to some earlier, ancestral character or type. See also throwback.

Phrasal Verb: throw something in

To include or add it as a gift or as part of a deal at no extra cost.To contribute (a remark) to a discussion, especially casually.To return (the ball) to play by throwing it in from the sideline. See also throw-in.

Phrasal Verb: throw something off

To get rid of it.
Example: throw off a cold
To write or say it in an offhand or careless way.To remove (clothing) hurriedly.

Phrasal Verb: throw something on

To put on (clothing) hurriedly.

Phrasal Verb: throw someone out

To expel them.To confuse or disconcert them.

Phrasal Verb: throw something out

To get rid of it; to reject or dismiss it.To say it in a casual or offhand manner.To cause it to extend or project, especially from a main body.
Example: throw out a new wing

Phrasal Verb: throw someone over

To leave or abandon them, especially a lover.

Phrasal Verb: throw people together

Said of circumstances, etc: to bring them into contact by chance.

Phrasal Verb: throw something together

To construct it hurriedly or temporarily.

Phrasal Verb: throw up

To vomit.

Phrasal Verb: throw something up

To give it up or abandon it.To build or erect it hurriedly.To bring up (eg a meal) by vomiting.

Info:

There is sometimes a spelling confusion between throw and throe.